Abstract
Limb salvage has become the most important treatment for patients with malignant bone tumors of the lower limb. Reconstruction with endoprosthesis of the proximal femur and distal femur and proximal tibia is now the most common solution. The data of 180 consecutive patients with malignant bone tumors of the lower limbtreated between 4/1987 and 11/1998 were reviewed. The average follow up is of four years.
129 patients had surgery for primary bone sarcoma, six for aggressive GCT and 45 for metastatic carcinoma. 63 patients were reoperated for different complications. The main complications were: local recurrences in 10 patients, infection in 12 patients and mechanical complications in 35 patients. 28 patients were operated two times and 24 patients more than two times.
14 patients have undergone amputation: six because of local recurrences, four because of infection, and two for post-surgical ischemia.
Eight of the 12 infections occurred after a re-operation.
35 patients had mechanical complications: 14 patients were reoperated to replace the polyethylene bushings in of the first model of HMRTS prosthesis (Howmedica), five patients had ruptures of the femoral stem, three patients suffered mobilization of the tibial stem and two of the femoral stem, six patients required a patella prostheses for local pain.
Two patients had acetabulum wear and three had hip dislocation.
In our experience endoprosthesis reconstruction after resection of bone tumors of the lower limb is a feasible procedure for limb salvage. We must consider that more than 30% of these patients will be re-operated for different complications and that 50% of infections occours after a new surgical procedure.
Correspondence should be addressed to Professor Stefan Bielack, Olgahospital, Klinikum Stuttgart, Bismarkstrasse 8, D-70176 Stuttgart, Germany. Email: s.bielack@klinikum_stuttgart.de
